Updated Volkswagen Jetta proves that European quality need not be expensive

It's almost as if Volkswagen have set out to help me prove the point that European motors need not be expensive down under. Since moving to Australia all the German mega brand seem to have done is advertise how affordable their cars are, mostly through the means of clever advertising. And now for 2015 they have refreshed the Jetta and until March the 30th you can drive one away for a ridiculously cheap $21,990. It's a lot of very good car for very little money, let me explain.

MQB

Many quite similar bits, that's what I heard Volkswagen's MQB platform referred to as recently and I think it explains almost perfectly the ethos behind the anagram. VW group is aiming for all it's cars from the Polo and Audi TT all the way up to bigger crossover like the Tiguan to share basic chassis dimensions, mounting points and parts in the near future. This ingeniously simple idea means that engines can slot into multiple cars easily, suspension components, hubs, electrical systems and almost every other component essential when building a car can be swapped between models easily. The benefits of this are many, tooling costs are reduced, quality is improved and ultimately final sale prices can be lowered.

     

It's just a big Golf

So with MQB explained you'll be pleased to hear that the new Jetta, which is essentially a MkVII Golf with a boot, already sits on an MQB platform. The Golf has won numerous awards since its release, most recently Wheels magazines Car of The Year in 2013 and is regarded as the benchmark car to beat in the hatchback category, it's built well, drives well is utterly dependable, it also manages to cross social divides, anyone can drive a Golf. With the Jetta you simply get all that with a bigger boot thrown in for good measure.  

Features

The Jetta comes in diesel or petrol flavour, auto or manual and is available as a basic get the job done automobile or fully loaded surprisingly quick little saloon. Everything you could possible want is available however if you just want to keep it a strictly budget VW best opt for the 118TSI Trendline manual for $21,990 until the 30th March. Trendline Jetta's may be the base model but they do still offer some impressive standard features. Extended electronic differential lock comes as standard, reducing nasty understeer and a driver fatigue detection system also comes as standard. The 1.4 litre TSI is also good if you don't like spending lots of time at the petrol station. With 118kw it isn't the fastest Jetta but the 6 speed manual manages 6.5l/100km (DSG auto does 6.2). The 103TDI will better that figure though, managing to sip just 5.5l/100km although at $36,990 the TDI Highline is a little bit pricier.

If you do pay more for one of the Jetta Highlines though, the level of standard kit is long. Vienna leather sports seats, sat nav, rear view camera, parking sensors, duel zone climate control, auto headlights, keyless entry and much more. However, personally I'd stick with the basic Trendline, I cant think of another new European saloon car in Australia that offers such value for money.

Jetta Trendline above represents the best value